Chocolate Orange Cupcakes

Ingredients (18)

• Chocolate Cupcakes:
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 348 grams (apprx 1 1/3 cups) sugar
• 348 grams (approx 2 3/4 cups) cake flour, sifted
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder, sifted
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup milk
• 1 tablespoon brandy (optional)
• 8 Large egg whites (for meringue)
• 70 grams (apprx. 1/3 cup) sugar (for meringue)
• Orange Frosting:
• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 orange, zest only
• 8 tablespoons butter
• 2 pounds powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange extract